Introduction to auto insurance quotes in Canada

Your automobile insurance is there to protect you against losses in the event of an accident, theft, vandalism, or some other incident that involves your vehicle and causes damage, liability or injury. Your policy is, essentially, a contract between you and your insurance company. You pay a premium, and in return, the insurer agrees to pay for any losses as they are defined in policy.

Auto insurance and the law

In Canada, it is law that you have vehicle insurance. It is valid anywhere in Canada and the United States and you should keep proof of your car insurance with you whenever you drive because you must produce it upon the request of a police officer. If you are found driving without valid insurance, you can have your driver's licence suspended and your vehicle impounded.

In Canada, each province and territory establishes their own required minimum insurance coverage. However, you can often get options that go beyond the basics; you can personalize your policy to make certain that you've got the exact protection you require, without paying for extra insurance you may not need.

The law does not require that you get insurance to cover physical damages to your car. However, if you have a newer automobile you'll want to protect your investment and consider purchasing Collision and Comprehensive coverage. In some cases, if you are financing or leasing you may be required to have both.

Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

For more information on auto insurance, please visit the Financial Services Commission of Ontario website.

*55.0% of Kanetix customers in Ontario who participated in the survey said Kanetix helped them identify an average savings amount of $752.06 (November 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015) on their car insurance. The cited amount represents the average difference between the best quote obtained at www.kanetix.ca and the current premium amount of participants in the survey. The savings amount varies by individual and does not constitute a guarantee; in each individual case, the difference may be smaller or greater than the savings amount cited.

Safety Tips for Driving in any Season

Every season, no matter the season, has its own set of driving hazards. Whether it's spring, summer, fall or winter, these driving tips will help you get to where you want to go, safely.

Spring Safety Tips For Driving

Spring may be in the air, but there are often storms that are reminiscent of winter. Check out the 'Snow, Ice and Winter Storms' section for in-depth coverage in how to drive in winter weather, plus:

Day or night turn on your headlights. Spring temperatures can change in the blink of an eye resulting in misty, foggy conditions that can reduce your visibility. And while foggy conditions are common in spring, so too is the occasional spring blizzard; don't be too quick to ditch the winter car safety kit in your car, or switch from your winter tires to your summer set.

April showers, may bring May flowers, but it also often brings wet slippery roads. Drive to the conditions and you'll get to where you want to go safely. As you would in winter, slow down and leave extra distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. It takes longer to stop when conditions are wet and slippery. Also, where possible, drive in the middle lanes; water tends to pool in the curb lanes and could lead to hydroplaning.

Lastly, your car has been through a lot in the winter and is probably in need of some attention. Take it in for a spring tune up to your risk of driving problems this spring.

Summer Safety Tips For Driving

After a long bitter winter and a slow wet spring, you may be ready to hit the road again, but be careful: according to the Canada Safety Council, more fatalities occur on Canadian roads during the summer months than at any other time of year. Whether you're heading out for the day, going to the cottage or taking a road trip with the family, remember to put safety first.

You'd think that summer driving would be the safest, when in fact the reverse is true. Summer brings increased traffic to the roads and highways. With more drivers on the road, construction, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians to watch for, don't let the clear weather fool you into thinking that summer driving is easy driving.

Fall and Autumn Safety Tips For Driving

The dog days of summer are over, and there's a chill in the air. Weather conditions in the fall, like spring, can be unpredictable. A warm, sunny day can turn dark, cold and rainy in no time. Mist and fog can reduce your visibility, and the first snow of the winter isn't unlikely. Give yourself plenty of space between you and the cars around you and remember to drive to the conditions.

The leaves may be changing colour and are beautiful to admire, but keep your eyes on the road and your attention focused. Fall brings the first frost of the season so beware of slippery conditions. And, if the temperature is hovering around freezing, then approach bridges and overpasses with caution as these tend to ice up quicker than the road.

When the leaves fall remember that they are a hazard on their own; they can hide potholes or other road hazards, and when they're wet, can be as slippery as any ice-covered road.

Snow, Ice and Winter Storms

Ice is a major concern for anyone driving in extreme cold weather conditions. Not only does it create a smooth surfacing that can lead to sliding and loss of vehicular control, but it can also be difficult to detect. When faced with this type of road condition, drive carefully and reduce your speed and allow as much as three car lengths more than normal between yourself and the car ahead of you.

In general, drive slowly and refrain from stepping too heavily on the brakes to avoid skidding. Watch out in particular for black ice. In areas that experience extremely cold weather, melted snow and puddles of water can quickly freeze, particularly when in the shade or on a bridge or overpass. It is called black ice because it can be nearly impossible to see until you're upon it.

Heavy snow creates a driving situation that is a mixed bag of dangerous driving conditions. It diminishes your ability to see, and creates slippery road conditions. At the beginning of snow season, invest in winter or snow tires. This will give the best traction possible for the conditions.

During heavy snowfall, it is safest to avoid driving. If staying off the road is not an option, first clear the car's windows of snow and ice to improve visibility. As with driving in icy conditions, it is important that the distance between cars is at least three car lengths more than normal. When other cars follow too closely, allowed them to pass.

Sleet and freezing rain can affect a your ability to safely manoeuvre your vehicle, and often officials will advise you to avoid driving under these conditions. When driving in these conditions is absolutely necessary, follow safe driving protocols: reduce speed and allow more following distance. Drivers often encounter freezing rain and sleet on bridges and overpasses first and should always exercise extreme caution when driving across them.

If you become stranded during winter storm conditions such as a blizzard, remain in the vehicle until help arrives. To make the car more visible, a brightly coloured ribbon, piece of cloth or towel should be tied to an antenna or outside mirror. An emergency kit that contains water, blankets, rope, a flashlight, and non-perishable foods should be kept in the car for emergencies. Use the additional clothing and blankets to keep warm. If there are no blankets in the car use items such as floor mats or even the seat covers to help keep warm. The car's heater may be used, but it should only be run for ten minutes every hour. When running the heater, keep a window slightly open to help with ventilation. Additionally, the vehicle's exhaust pipe should be kept clear to prevent poisonous gases from entering the car.

Whether it is freezing rain or blizzard-like snowfall, it is important that people drive safely when getting behind the wheel. While it is often best to stay indoors during extreme weather conditions, knowing how to drive for the specific condition goes a long way in keeping one safe while on the road.

The Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote App

Buying a car? Quickly compare how much it costs to insure 1, 2, 3 or more cars in a matter of seconds right from your iPhone or Android Smartphone. In one simple step get up to 3 car insurance estimates:

Save on your auto insurance; the Quick Quote will tell you which cars cost more to insure and which cost less!

Use the VIN scanner to read the bar codes on your car to quickly load in necessary details for a quote

What's in it for you?

A first of its kind in Canada, The Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote app makes buying a car easier than ever. Knowing how much a vehicle could end up costing to insure prior to buying or leasing could sway your decision and save you thousands of dollars in the process.

Of course, the app isn't only for those purchasing new rides! Off the assembly line or used, the Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote can help you compare rates in no time:

Tell us about yourself and use the app's VIN scanner to tell us about your vehicle with ease

Compare rates that are ranked low, medium or high for easy evaluation

One tap to connect to Kanetix

Finding the best deal on your car insurance is no longer a matter of waiting until you have access to a desktop or lap top - all you need is your phone! With the free to download Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote app, you can compare the rates of many of Canada's top insurance providers simply by scanning your ride's VIN, or selecting it from our easy drop-down format.

How do I get it?

Downloading the free app is as simple as a click of a button.

You can also search for "Kanetix" in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store on your phone.

What else can I do with the app?

The Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote app can get you car insurance quotes in seconds, and much more:

Easily compare quotes between vehicles

Save your quote details for easy repeat visits

Subscribe to policy renewal reminders

And, most of all, you'll never have to worry again about overpaying for your auto insurance.

How easy is it to use the Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote app?

In one simple step tell us about:

Yourself (your postal code, age, gender and how many tickets and accidents you have)

Your car (year, make and model)

That's it, because once we have these tidbits of information we'll show you up to 3 car insurance estimates. It couldn't be easier and will take you less time than it did to read all about the Kanetix Car Insurance Quick Quote app.

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